The Celtic Underground

This week, Scotland begin their World Cup campaign, the first time they have done this in the 21st century.

95 years ago, it was Celtic’s turn for an American first when the Bhoys first made the journey across the Atlantic.

This podcast tells the full story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

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For decades, football, boxing and other contact sports have thrilled millions, but an uncomfortable question continues to grow louder: what price do athletes pay for repeated blows to the head? In this fascinating discussion with expert (and Celtic fan) Paul Fivey, we explore the latest research linking sport-related brain injuries to neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and motor neurone disease. From the pioneering work that first identified CTE in boxers to groundbreaking studies involving former professional footballers, we examine what the science now tells us about the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma.

The recent news that former Lisbon Lion Jim Craig is living with Alzheimer’s disease has once again brought the debate into sharp focus. We discuss the evidence surrounding heading the ball, how brain damage develops over time, the differences between various neurodegenerative diseases, and what governing bodies, clubs and medical professionals are doing to make sport safer for future generations without losing the essence of the games we love.

Two websites recommended on the chat are:

https://www.brainhelpandhope.org/

&

https://www.headway.org.uk/

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Controversy in matches featuring Celtic and Rangers is hardly unusual.

One particularly notable game took place 80 years ago this week. It featured poor decisions, arguments – and on-field drunkenness!

This latest podcast tells that story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Celtic’s 1921 ‘Tour de France’

105 years ago, Europe was still hurting from the tragedy of World War One.

In 1921, the Celts took part in their own ‘Tour de France’ a journey of football and also remembrance.

This latest podcast tells that story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com

The podcast was supposed to be recorded Wednesday night but circumstances moved it to Thursday and as luck would have it we get to record within 30 minutes of the SFA audio confirming that not only did Hearts know the game was ended by the ref, but they asked for it! Oh the tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive - It is perhaps apt tha…

This weekend, Celtic face Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final.

It will be the sixth meeting between the sides in a national final, and the previous games involve numerous interesting stories.

This latest podcast describes these matches, with often surprising outcomes.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

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Celtic had a woeful summer transfer window. In October we wrote a piece setting out why we were playing so poorly - in the summer and previous Jan window we’d sold players who, in the 12 months prior, had scored 86 goals and had 41 assists and replaced that with 28 goals (16 Nygren). That paucity of attacking options has been evident all season. Chuck in the injuries to CCV, AJ and Jota and the club was in a poor place. It was the principle reason behind the fan unrest.

After Brendan left, we looked at Rangers and said “hold my beer” and brought in Nancy.

The effect of all of this is that we have lost 8 league games. Martin O’Neil has had to overcome an 8 point then 6 point deficit - yet here we are. Win and the title’s ours.

It’s been the most unexpected title decider and it’s previewed tonight.

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A Celtic win – or even draw – tonight will ensure that this year’s title race will go to the final day.

Over the years, the Celts have had numerous momentous ‘final day’ moments that have brought the League flag to Celtic Park.

This podcast describes the whole story.

Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).

You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com

Enjoy…

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

When Martin O’Neil arrived back at Celtic Park we were 8 points behind leaders Hearts. He closed that and handed a level playing field to Wilfried Nancy. That incredible gamble failed and he came back with the club 6 points behind again. We now go into the final 2 games of the league campaign just 1 point off the lead. It’s there for us to claim history.

On this weeks podcast the bhoys discuss the 3-1 victory and THAT goal. As Keith says, IF (and it may be a big IF) this is Martin last derby then his tenures at Celtic have been bookended by 2 of the greatest Glasgow Derby goals - the Henrik dink and the Maeda overhead.

Enjoy…

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There’s now just 4 games to go in the search for an unlikely double, 3 of them in the league. At the weekend Celtic (and the officials) made the victory over Hibs much harder than it should have been and then there was the Hearts v Rangers game where every outcome could be seen through positive or negative eyes, depending upon your outlook. Hearts won and it has now become a two horse race.

Victory on Sunday guarantees Celtic a Champions League play-off and confirms 3rd spot for Rangers but we’ve not played well all season and haven’t beaten Rangers over 90 mins for far too long.

The bhoys review and preview.

Enjoy…

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The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe